When Ronnie Hillman raced around the right end in the fourth quarter last Sunday, it became notable for several reasons. It secured the Broncos fifth straight AFC West title, the conference’s top playoff seed and individual recognition.

Hillman won AFC offensive player of the week honors after rushing for a season-high 117 yards on 15 carries and a 23-yard touchdown.

“It was just a call that I just so happened to hit, and it was a perfect call for what they were doing. They shifted the line to the left and we ran right, and we scored,” Hillman said. “It felt good to know that we went up, now we had to rely on the defense and they did their thing obviously like they do week in and week out, and we came up with the win.”

Hillman emerged in training camp as a force then took over the starting job following injuries to C.J. Anderson. The pair has spent the second half of the season platooning. Hillman leads the Broncos with 863 yards rushing on seven touchdowns, followed by Anderson’s 720 and five scores. Read more…

Not only did the Broncos secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC and earn home-field advantage with their 20-27 win over the Chargers on Sunday, but they also clinched their fifth-consecutive AFC West title and locked up their opponent schedule for 2016.

As division champions once again, they’ll face fellow AFC division champs Cincinnati and New England. Next season will be the fifth time in the last six years in which they’ll have faced the Bengals, and the sixth-consecutive season in which they’ll have faced the Patriots.

For the first time since 2012, the Broncos will face NFC South opponents, as they host the Panthers and Falcons and play the Saints and Buccaneers on the road.

Brock Osweiler scrambles out of the pocket for a gain. He played through an injured left shoulder and elbow. “I am not special case,” Osweiler said. “Everybody is banged up. I will be ready to go.” (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

It wasn’t always pretty. In fact, a lot of times, it was ugly. The Broncos’ offense scored just three points in the first half, but they made some key adjustments in the second half and overtime to add 17 more.

The biggest shift was the re-emergence of the no huddle offense, an asset that was prevalent when Peyton Manning was the starting quarterback.

Denver went to it late in the second quarter leading to their first points. It appeared again in the third and fourth quarters with more success.

After looking overwhelmed by the Bengals’ defensive line for much of the first half, the Broncos’ transition to the no huddle allowed its offensive line to play with more push and kept Cincinnati on their heels.

“It caught them off guard a lot,” running back C.J. Anderson said. “That’s not a Kubiak-style offense that they’re used to seeing. We kind of went back into what we’ve done in previous years and good thing we all knew it.”

Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak and his players spoke to the media after practice Thursday. Here’s some of what they said:

HEAD COACH GARY KUBIAK

On Vernon Davis returning to practice

“Yeah they still have to get the full clearance, but he was able to return today. He and Danny (Trevathan), we would still say that they’re both still in the protocol, but Vernon was cleared to come out here today.”

On Trevathan’s progress in the concussion protocol

“Danny is doing well. I don’t know those stages. I know that practice is one stage. That would be him trying to come back and practice tomorrow if he’s cleared to do that and then the game is the next stage. Vernon would be a step ahead right now.”

The Broncos face the Chargers on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. Denver has won 14 consecutive AFC West road games. (Nicki Jhabvala, The Denver Post).

SAN DIEGO — Found it amusing watching the local news last night. The meteorologist detailed a forecast that called for temperatures between 76 and 83 degrees for this week. But wait, there’s a possibility, if only slight, of showers this weekend. Showers I say. Charge the battery in the truck. Launch Double Doppler radar. Showers!

I kid because I care. I love San Diego. Sunday provides another Chamber of Commerce afternoon at Qualcomm Stadium. I’d like to personally thank the NFL schedule makers for slotting this game in December when sunshine is embraced like a lost friend.

Can’t say I see the same love for the Chargers. It’s an awkward time. The Chargers have experienced an awful season as the possibility of moving to Los Angeles hangs over the franchise. They still have Philip Rivers, one of the league’s top passers and arguably the league’s top sanitized trash talkers.

Let’s look at the keys to the game:

Run, Broncos, Run
The Broncos established season-high in rushing yards in back-to-back games, both wins. It’s no coincidence Denver runs better with quarterback Brock Osweiler under center. As I detailed in a story in Sunday’s Post, the backs see the field better, and it makes them more decisive and instinctual on cutbacks. Even with guards Louis Vasquez (groin) and Evan Mathis (ankle) dealing with injuries, the Broncos should continue to run well. If Vasquez’s leg demands an exit like last week, Max Garcia will spell him. Garcia is going to play snaps regardless. The Chargers are allowing 4.9 yards per attempt. Nine of their last 10 opponents have eclipsed 100 yards. Look for C.J. Anderson to receive a few more carries than Ronnie Hillman with the Broncos finishing with 140 yards on the ground.

Slow Rivers in red zone
The Chargers can move the ball. Their 391 yards per game ranks sixth in the NFL. But they can’t run, leaving them one dimensional. The key is controlling Rivers in the red zone. San Diego averages only 22.2 points, 19th in the league. Tight end Antonio Gates and running back Danny Woodhead must be neutralized. With safety T.J. Ward out, the Broncos secondary must adjust. I would expect Brandon Marshall and David Bruton to predominantly guard Gates. Woodhead is slippery out of the backfield on passes that have hurt the Broncos this season.

Stay the Course, Brock
Brock Osweiler makes his third start. He has gone from an unknown backup to the cover of Sports Illustrated. Two things stand out: He protects the ball, and he can make all the throws. Sacks, however, are becoming an issue. He has been sacked 11 times in 10 quarters. That’s not good for his health and leaves his vulnerable to injury. Going forward, it wouldn’t hurt him to get rid of the ball sooner.

Osweiler will start this week at home against the Oakland Raiders. The following week, Peyton Manning might be in position to test out his injured left foot. It’s just speculation on my part, but I wonder if the final regular season game is a more realistic target for Manning. The more time he can rest his foot, the better. Gives him a chance to heal and be available for a role in the playoffs.

Maybe the Colts want to make Peyton Manning feel at home. Last time Manning visited Lucas Oil Stadium, the roof remained opened. The Colts won 39-33, Manning failing to exact revenge in a loss that was emotional and taxing. Edge rusher Robert Mathis injured Manning’s ankle.

Is the roof gamesmanship or just ridiculousness? The Colts have dropped three straight games for the first time since 2011, a season which Manning missed due to neck surgeries. They represent a desperate team looking for even the slightest edge.

Mother nature failed to cooperate. The conditions are ideal for football regardless if the roof exhales or not. The forecast calls for high 50s, dropping to mid 40s near the game’s conclusion. It mirrors the weather the Broncos practiced in all week.Read more…

Peyton Manning has never lost to the Raiders since joining the Broncos in 2012. (Steve Nehf, The Denver Post)

OAKLAND, Calif. — About the field at o.Co Coliseum? The Raiders removed the infield skin. Just call them the Lawn Rangers.

The sod looks fantastic from the press box and at field level. I walked around the place, checked out the box seats in the dugouts and listened to Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora preview his Jimi Hendrix-style guitar solo National Anthem. This places figures to be rocking. The parking lot lived up to expectations with the tailgating. This is a concert disguised as a game.

As for the game, my three keys for Broncos to stay undefeated and run their winning streak to eight against Oakland are as follows:

Blitz, blitz and blitz Raiders quarterback Derek Carr

Derek Carr represents one of the game’s better young quarterbacks. I am not sure he’s better than Minnesota’s Teddy Bridgewater, and I would be shocked if he played better than Bridgewater did last Sunday. Carr’s strong start reveals a vulnerability. He has only been blitzed 15 percent of his dropbacks, according to ESPN. The Broncos have blitzed 37 percent of the time. They will pressure Carr in a way he hasn’t seen this season. The Broncos own 18 sacks from 11 different players. The Orange Rush comes from everywhere. They need to sack Carr at least three times and create two turnovers. Did I mention Derek Wolfe returns on Sunday? He will give the Broncos even more options.

C.J. Anderson looks to get on track and keep his starting job after experiencing tough sledding the first three games. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

The Broncos enter Sunday undefeated, but not unblemished. There are perfect records in the NFL, but no perfect teams. The Broncos look to improve to 4-0 with a balanced offense and their increasingly gnarly defense.

The Broncos announced their inactives, with only two mild surprises: Omar Bolden, who continues to deal with plantar fasciitis in his foot, and Kenny Anunike, the defensive end left off the active roster to make room for three reserve offensive linemen (Max Garcia, James Ferentz, Tyler Polumbus). Those joining Bolden and Anunike, quarterback Trevor Siemian, defensive end Lerentee McCray, offensive guard Shelley Smith, injured left tackle Ty Sambrailo and tight end Mitchell Henry.

So you know who’s not playing, let’s get down to the Broncos vs. Vikings keys to game:

Guard Ben Grubbs (66) of the Kansas City Chiefs attempts to tackle cornerback Chris Harris (25) of the Denver Broncos after he made an interception on a pass by quarterback Alex Smith (11) inside the Broncos’ own 10-yard line during the second half of the Broncos’ 31-24 win at Arrowhead Stadium. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Denver’s Chris Harris prevented a go-ahead, fourth-quarter Chiefs score by picking off a poorly thrown Alex Smith pass. Aqib Talib intercepted Smith right before the half to set up the Broncos’ second touchdown.

DeMarcus Ware looks 10 years younger in Wade Phillips’ system. He made a sack for the second straight game, three quarterback hits and four solo tackles.

Brandon McManus followed up his superb Week 1 performance with a 54-yard field goal to tie the game at 17. Only Tampa Bay kicker Patrick Murray had three field goals of 54 yards or more last season. McManus has that through two games.

WORST

The Broncos started off the game with three consecutive runs, including a 14-yard gain by C.J. Anderson. After that, the Broncos’ running game disappeared. They finished with 61 yards rushing and a 2.8-yard average.

For the second straight game, 2014 second-round pick Cody Latimer spent most of the game on the sidelines. He wasn’t targeted on any passes. Jordan Norwood and Andre Caldwell are both ahead of him.

K.C.’s Jamaal Charles rushed for 125 yards and a 6-yard average and scored a touchdown, but wound up fumbling the game away at the end.–Cameron Wolfe

Grades

Offense: C
Week 2 wasn’t as bad as Week 1, but it wasn’t pretty. Peyton Manning got his first touchdown pass of the season, to Emmanuel Sanders. Manning followed with two more touchdown passes and racked up 256 yards, enough to put him in the 70,000-yard club with Brett Favre. But he was sacked three times and threw a pick-six.

Defense: A
Despite a bevy of penalties, DeMarcus Ware got a sack, Von Miller got a sack, David Bruton and Brandon Marshall forced a fumble, Aqib Talib and Chris Harris both got interceptions and Bradley Roby’s fumble recovery for a touchdown won it all.

Special Teams: B
Britton Colquitt’s seven punts averaged 44.9 yards. Brandon McManus recorded his third 50-plus-yard field goal of the season with a 54-yarder to tie the game at 17-all in the third. On coverage, the Broncos stymied the Chiefs’ return games.

Coaching: B
Maybe it was the noise, but communication appeared to have broken down in the first half; coach Gary Kubiak had no idea Manning had called a timeout before a snap on one play. In the second quarter, after Miller and Jackson were both penalized, Kubiak put in backups Shaquil Barrett, Shane Ray and Darius Kilgo. The result? A Chiefs touchdown.

Game balls

Aqib Talib
Talib’s interception in the second quarter was his second in as many games and gave him 29 in his career, tying him for the most by an NFL cornerback since 2008.

Bradley Roby
Roby’s fumble recovery and 21-yard return in the final seconds gave the Broncos their second win of the season.–Nicki Jhabvala

KANSAS CITY — Peyton Manning made history Thursday night. And not by becoming the first player to announce his retirement during a game. After persistent talk of his demise, Manning showed resolve in the Broncos’ 31-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs that will long be remembered for Denver’s two fourth-quarter touchdowns in nine seconds.

With the Broncos trailing 14-0, criticism of Manning could be heard from Arrowhead Stadium to old Mile High. Legends, outside of John Elway, rarely exit on their own terms. There’s an awkward dance of diminished skills and hurt feelings. Manning will leave someday. But not on this day.

“This guy took a lot of (bleep) this week,” coach Gary Kubiak said as he gave Peyton Manning a game ball in a postgame video posted by the team.

Manning beat the Chiefs for a ninth consecutive time — no quarterback has ever done that — and the Broncos won their 13th straight divisional road game, setting a new NFL record.

“I feel like a lot of other people read (the criticism),” Manning said. “I really don’t read a lot of the papers and watch a lot of analysis. With teammates, it seems to make them quite angry and they like to tell me that they’re mad. But it doesn’t affect me. I kind of stay away from the summaries after one game. It’s usually a pretty safe method. Let us play may two games, maybe three, maybe even 16. But let’s play a little football before we summarize who our offense is.”

The identity remains elusive, but progress emerged.

Manning, who’s 39 in case you haven’t heard, finished 26 of 45 for 256 yards, three touchdowns and a pick six for a second straight game for the first time in his career. He’s fallen out of bed and put up those numbers. What made this night different was the juxtaposition. The Broncos looked bad early, unable to run the ball — they finished with 61 yards on 22 carries as the offensive line struggled again — to open up play action. The horizontal passing attack wasn’t working. Manning and coach Kubiak switched gears.

They went to more no-huddle, shotgun and vertical routes. It ended the 26-possession touchdown drought for Manning and the first-string offense dating to the preseason. Emmanuel Sanders scored on a 16-yard pass on a perfect pick play route.

There would be more.

“I stood on the sideline telling our guys when we were down 14-0, ‘Don’t look at this as a bad thing. This is an opportunity. Getting punched in the mouth is good for us. It will only wake us up,’^” said defensive tackle Antonio Smith, who insists he’s never played on a defense with this much depth. “I told the guys, ‘It’s going to be 14-14 at halftime. You watch.’^”

He proved prophetic. The Broncos tied the game on Manning’s 1-yard jump pass to tight end Virgil Green. An awkward first half — 2-for-8 on third down, 50 yards in penalties — sparked hope, not frustration. Well that’s not entirely accurate. Kubiak was angry, furious at himself for play-calling when the Broncos failed to gain 2-yards on three plays from the Chiefs’ 22-yard line, eschewing the field goal for aggressiveness that didn’t pay off.

But the Broncos proved resilient.

“We have to clean up a lot of things,” Kubiak said. “We showed a lot of guts.”

Down 24-17 with 2:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, Manning became cold-blooded. It was as if the entire night led to this intersection of noise and poise.

“It was crazy how calm he was,” running back C.J. Anderson said.

Manning went 5-for-10 for 75 yards on the march. It could have been better. The officials picked up a flag on a potential interference call on rookie Marcus Peters, and receiver Jordan Norwood failed to catch a touchdown pass on a wheel route that was long a Wes Welker specialty. The key, though, was the start, hooking up with Demaryius Thomas for 22 yards on the drive’s first play.

“That’s when I thought we had something going. We got some momentum,” Manning said.

Added Thomas, “We couldn’t go out like this. On Thursday night, with all that time to think about the loss? I knew I had to find a way to get open.”

Thomas had three catches for 54 yards on the drive. Emmanuel Sanders, the most trusted weapon this season, finished it off. With 45 seconds remaining and the ball on the 19-yard line, the Chiefs called timeout. During the break, Manning and coach Kubiak told Sanders the play they wanted to run.

“I knew right away I was going to score If I ran a good route,” Sanders said.

The Chiefs stayed in man coverage with a safety high. Sanders broke open for his second touchdown.

“That was a good call by coach to put Emmanuel on that route,” Manning said. “It was a great way to end it.”

Not as unique as the very end. That was sudden (Yes, it’s a “Fletch” reference. I am tired.)

The Chiefs took the half pregnant approach over the final 40 seconds. They decided to run Jamaal Charles rather the pass. The thinking, Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained, was “we were going to try and bust one.” Instead they ran the hearts of Chiefs fans through a blender.

Charles fumbled.

“It’s one of the hardest feelings that I have felt in a long time,” Charles said.

It wasn’t just bad luck. Linebacker Brandon Marshall told teammate Danny Trevathan during the game that the Broncos were going to get one.

“It was the way Charles was carrying the ball. We noticed it and thought we had a chance,” said Marshall, who also received a game ball.

As Charles fell to the ground, Marshall knocked the ball loose with his right hand. What happened next turned a soldout stadium into a library. Bradley Roby scooped up the ball and raced in for a 21-yard score. It wasn’t exactly Joe Pisarcik at the Meadowlands creating a defining moment in Herman Edwards’ career. But this play will leave an imprint in Denver.

“The coaches are always on me to finish. To run everything out. Once I got it, I was thinking one thing: score,’^” Roby said. “That was it. Game. Over.”

In the corner of the locker room, Manning reveled in the smiles. Not his statistics. The victory. The chatter of teammates. You don’t play football at age 39 just for numbers.

You play for moments.

“I am not one for speeches,” Manning said as he received his game ball. “But that was a great (bleeping) win.”

Comments Off on Peyton Manning after KC victory: “That was a great (bleeping) win”

Peyton Manning is eyeing his ninth straight win against the Chiefs dating to his days with the Colts. (Steve Nehf, The Denver Post)

KANSAS CITY — Peyton Manning walks out of the tunnel Thursday night attempting to do something not even Craig Morton accomplished.

No quarterback has beaten the Kansas City Chiefs nine consecutive times. Manning owns eight straight wins, a record he shares with Morton. Manning won his last two with the Colts and hasn’t lost to the Chiefs as a member of the Broncos. Morton’s streak spanned from 1970-79, spanning his tenure with the Cowboys and Broncos.

Manning, facing scrutiny not seen since he came back from neck surgery in 2012, needs 134 passing yards to join Brett Favre in the 70,000-yard club. He figures to reach it, but where will he finish? The Broncos are expected to simplify the offense to help the line, which could mean a steady diet of C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman to set up play-action. It would not surprise me if the Broncos finished with 40 rushing attempts.

So on the keys to the game:

Run for it
Manning, 39, didn’t play well last Sunday, perhaps you heard? It wasn’t a good performance, but multiple factors contributed beyond Manning. The offensive line struggled in his first game action together. Center Matt Paradis, Evan Mathis and Ty Sambrailo all graded out poorly. Mathis will play better. His track record provides proof. Paradis and Sambrailo will fight inconsistency based on their lacking experience. They are considered quick learners. The solution? Keep it basic. Run the ball to set up play-action hits. Manning’s final statistics would have looked much different last week had he connected on both or even one of the shots down field to Emmanuel Sanders. If those are missed tonight, Denver will lose. C.J. Anderson will play, but if the Broncos win he will likely form a two-headed monster with Ronnie Hillman.

Force Alex Smith to win the game
Alex Smith has earned “The Captain Checkdown” nickname. He will look to dump the ball off rather than take shots down the field. If the Broncos can limit the damage of Jamaal Charles out of the backfield — Brandon Marshall is central to the coverage — it will force Smith to turn to Travis Kelce and Jeremy Maclin. Kelce will get his catches. He’s that good. David Bruton figures to spend a chunk of time on him in nickel packages. Maclin remains a solid receiver. But the Broncos can take him out with either Chris Harris or Aqib Talib, forcing Smith to take risks elsewhere.

Take the crowd out
This is the home-opener for the Chiefs. They take their football seriously around here. I say that as someone who was stuck in traffic to get into the parking lot 5 1/2 hours before the game. I saw two RVs featuring 50-inch flat screens in the place of windows. The Chiefs are kind of a big deal here. Nothing mutes the crowd like a good running game, and no turnovers. The crowd grows restless with nothing to roar about, similar to when a pitcher shuts down an opponent. If the Broncos establish the ground game, they will run out of town with their NFL record 13th consecutive divisional road victory. If they fall behind and become predictable with the pass, Denver’s chances will nosedive dramatically.

Aqib Talib races for a 51-yard TD on a third-quarter interception. It was his third pick-six as a member of the Broncos. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

KANSAS CITY — When a Broncos player makes an interception, he receives the football. The team will also paint it and write out the accomplishment if the player desires.

Aqib Talib doesn’t bother will all the fuss. He’s not even sure he has collected all of his from pick six accomplishments. He can be forgiven. He owns seven since he became a starter in 2009, most in the NFL. His latest not only helped the Broncos win their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, it won him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Feeling pressure from the edge, Joe Flacco unleashed a poor pass in Steve Smith’s direction. Talib snared it and snaked in for a 51-yard touchdown, the Broncos’ only touchdown in their victory.

“It was a premium look for us. We were going to get the play all day. I checked the situation,” Talib said. “I saw the look. He threw it right to me.”

It marks the second time Talib has snared the honor as a Bronco. He earned it on Dec. 14 at San Diego when he made a season-best eight tackles, helping the Broncos clinch their fourth straight AFC West title and 12th consecutive divisional road win, tying the NFL record. The Broncos will attempt to break the mark on Thursday in Kansas City.

In his first year with the Broncos in 2014, Talib made his second straight Pro Bowl after signing as a free agent from the New England Patriots.

The Broncos veterans along with Peyton Manning report on Thursday for training camp. The first practice is Friday. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Football training camp brings more optimism for fans than players. It’s a grueling grind of pain and performance as dozens of hopefuls attempt to grab roughly 10-to-15 open roster spots.

The Broncos’ camp will be better this season, if for no other reason than the whispers won’t be heard. The fans will return after a one-year hiatus because of construction involving the breathtaking field house. Fans bring energy, help pull players through the practices. It will be great to have them back.

The enthusiasm for the Broncos is real — for good reason. Denver returns most of its top players from a fourth-consecutive AFC West championship team, and the group features a new coaching staff led by Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. For all the talk about Peyton Manning’s fit in the new offense, the defense represents a fascinating story. If all goes as planned it won’t look anything like last year’s unit. That group stopped the run effectively, setting a franchise record for fewest rushing yards allowed per game, but struggled to create turnovers. Phillips relishes blitzing and pressuring the quarterback, an attack which should work given a secondary which features Pro Bowlers Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward.

Peyton Manning and the Broncos will play on new sod this season at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Can we all agree there have been enough jokes about grass in Colorado over the last year? OK.

This is something more serious, at least as it relates to the state’s most popular sports team. The Broncos are continuing the final phase of field renovations at Sports Authority Field on Wednesday, installing a new sod surface for the first time since the stadium opened in 2001. The grass turf field received criticism early last season following an unprecedented schedule. For the first time in the new stadium’s history, the Broncos opened the preseason at home coupled with a soccer exhibition, the CU-CSU game and multiple public Broncos’ scrimmages because of construction at Dove Valley.

GLENDALE, ARIZ. — Pro Bowls creates memories for players. Super Bowls leave legacies. But Von Miller’s effort Sunday provided another encouraging sign that his career continues to trend upward. Miller didn’t expect to play in the game, figuring that the Broncos would be in the title game.

However, he made good on his promise earlier in the week to bring intensity. He finished with a game-high eight tackles.

“He was seeking out there. I mean seeking,” said Baltimore’s Elvis Dumervil said of his former teammate. “There’s a reason he’s in this game. He’s a great player.”

Miller arrived at his locker moments later and told Dumervil how “proud of him” he was after the Ravens’ star posted two sacks. Miller was surprised he didn’t match that total, saying “that was kind of how the end of my season went.”

The Broncos defense proved tough against the run, setting a franchise record for yards allowed per game. Still, Denver struggled to consistently cause havoc and create turnovers. If Miller builds on this past season, when he had 14 sacks, it could be the catalyst.

“He was full go tonight. I think I saw him lift a guy off his feet. We all know what kind of player he is,” cornerback Aqib Talib said.

C.J. A-OK: C.J. Anderson provided hope on a memorable fourth-down run. He bounced off three tacklers to keep a drive breathing. He delivered in the biggest game of his career.

Welcome back, Julius: Julius Thomas, a ghost in the game plan the past six weeks due to a left ankle injury, caught a 32-yard first-quarter pass and forced an interference call at the goal line. It tied for his second-longest reception of the season.

Marshall plan: LB Brandon Marshall fought through his injured left foot to play significant snaps. His inability to stay on the field throughout, though, hurt the Broncos in coverage.

Demaryius Thomas catches a 1-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning in the first quarter. (Tim Rasmussen, The Denver Post)

WORSTS

Slot machine: The Broncos elected to match cornerback Aqib Talib with T.Y. Hilton rather than Chris Harris. It proved a mistake. Referees flagged Talib for two first-half penalties, and he gave up chunk plays to the speedy slot receiver.

Newsome troublesome: Colts defensive end Jonathan Newsome raced around left tackle Ryan Clady as if he were a pylon, sacking Peyton Manning and causing a fumble that led to the Colts’ second score.

Drop back: Demaryius Thomas picked a bad day to have a bad day. He dropped two short first-half passes.Read more…

Peyton Manning and the Broncos defeated the Raiders on Sunday to secure a first-round playoff bye. (Steve Nehf, The Denver Post)

Single-game tickets for the Broncos’ AFC divisional playoff game — to be played Jan. 11, 2015, at 2:40 p.m. at Sports Authority Field — will go on sale to the general public on Monday at 3 p.m., the team announced.

Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-745-3000. They will not available at the Broncos ticket office until Tuesday, if any remain by then.

Prices range from $70-$215 for reserved seats and $275-$450 for club seats. There is a limit of four tickets per household.

The Broncos’ receiver has endured many this season — one that gave him a concussion, another that he said was intended to take him out of the game and now this, courtesy of San Diego safety Jahleel Addae.

Sanders was body-slammed to the ground by Addae after catching a 33-yard pass from Peyton Manning in the fourth quarter. Five plays later, Broncos kicker Connor Barth booted a 49-yard field goal to put the Broncos ahead 19-10.Read more…

Peyton Manning played through flu-like symptoms to help the Broncos defeat the Chargers. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Peyton Manning played through flu-like symptoms to help the Broncos beat the Chargers 22-10 in San Diego and clinch their fourth consecutive AFC West title. Here were the notable and not-so-notable moments from the Denver victory.

BESTS

Setting standard: Demaryius Thomas’ 28-yard touchdown gave him his eighth 100-yard game. It represents an NFL best this season and ties Rod Smith for most in a season by a Bronco.

Manning up: Peyton Manning battled through the flu, worked through a thigh injury after a block on a running play and grinded through the second half after coach John Fox said he wasn’t playing.

Cornering market:Chris Harris got paid then played like a star, blanketing Keenan Allen. Allen had 18 yards after three quarters.

WORSTS

Osweiler’s passes cost: Brock Osweiler entered on the final series of the first half with 1:27 remaining. He passed on his first two plays. It left time for Eddie Royal’s 58-yard punt return to set up a field goal.

Marshall hurt: Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan, back from injury, didn’t make it through a half. Marshall left in the second quarter with a foot injury and Trevathan injured his right leg in the fourth.

Clady issue: Melvin Ingram crushed Manning and the Broncos recovered their fumble. He beat Ryan Clady, who played briefly before exiting with thigh injury.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.